Vermont Criminal Information Center 103 South Main Street Waterbury, Vermont Subscription Service for Non- Criminal Justice Agencies Power Point presentation by: Bruce A. Parizo, Deputy Director Vermont Criminal Information Center June 18, 2010

Subscription Service for Non-Criminal Justice Agencies 2 Vermont Criminal Information Center Table of Contents: Subscription service requirements; Subscription Renewal Cancellation How to read a conviction report How to obtain conviction report source documentation Misuse of the subscription service

Subscription Service for Non-Criminal Justice Agencies 3 Vermont Criminal Information Center What are the requirements of the service? Subscription: The Vermont Criminal Conviction Internet Service (VCCRIS) Subscription Service is only authorized for use by the Vermont Department for Children and Families, the Vermont Department of Education, and other Vermont educational institutions. All subscription service users must have an account with the Vermont Criminal Conviction Record Internet Service (VCCRIS). The VCCRIS Contact Person for an agency must apply for a VCCRIS Subscription Service account before access to the VCRRIS Subscription Service is granted by VCIC.

Subscription Service for Non-Criminal Justice Agencies 4 Vermont Criminal Information Center What are the requirements of the service? (cont.) Authorized users may only enter a subscription for a person if: –There is statutory authority to conduct a criminal conviction record check on the employee, or volunteer; –The authorized user will have an ongoing employment or licensing interest in the subject of the subscription; –The subject of the subscription has given written authorization on a release form provided by VCIC. An authorized user who requests a criminal conviction record subsequent to a notification from the Subscription Service shall provide a free copy of such record to the subject of the record within ten days of receipt of the record.

Subscription Service for Non-Criminal Justice Agencies 5 Vermont Criminal Information Center What are the requirements of the service? (cont.) Renewal: Subscriptions shall have a retention period (default of one year) and will be automatically purged when the retention period is exceeded unless renewed. –A list of subscriptions pending purge will be provided prior to purging (monthly) Users may renew a subscription only if there continues to be an ongoing employment or licensing interest in the subject of the subscription.

Subscription Service for Non-Criminal Justice Agencies 6 Vermont Criminal Information Center What are the requirements of the service? (cont.) Cancellation: Subscriptions must be cancelled by the authorized user whenever there is no longer an ongoing employment or licensing interest.

Subscription Service for Non-Criminal Justice Agencies 7 Vermont Criminal Information Center How to read a conviction report: Header Conviction Report Disclaimer Validation Code

Subscription Service for Non-Criminal Justice Agencies 8 Vermont Criminal Information Center How to read a conviction report (cont.): Header contains: Date of report Subjects name Subjects date of birth Conviction report contains: Date of conviction County of conviction –The district court where the subject was convicted Offense for which subject was convicted Conviction level (ie: felony/misdemeanor) Sentence

Subscription Service for Non-Criminal Justice Agencies 9 Vermont Criminal Information Center How to read a conviction report (cont.): Disclaimer contains: Pertinent information regarding contents of report Appropriate use information Penalty for inappropriate use Validation code: This is the number that allows a requestor to verify the contents of an existing printed report. Entering the validation code in VCCRIS returns the conviction report as of the original run date. Validation code check is a free service.

Subscription Service for Non-Criminal Justice Agencies 10 Vermont Criminal Information Center How to read a conviction report (cont.): Important note: If the subject was convicted of an offense for which they could be registered as a sex offender Educational Institutions will see a special header at the top of the report.

Subscription Service for Non-Criminal Justice Agencies 11 Vermont Criminal Information Center How to obtain source documentation: Source documentation is available from the county court of conviction (as listed under county in the conviction section of the report). Contact information for the courts is readily available on line and below is one URL that will provide current phone numbers and addresses:

Subscription Service for Non-Criminal Justice Agencies 12 Vermont Criminal Information Center Misuse of the subscription service: The subscription service has a specific function and purpose that is governed by T.20 V.S.A. §2064. Misuse of the subscription service or improper dissemination of information is punishable by fine as outlined in T.20 V.S.A. §2064 (j) which states: A person who violates any subsection of this section shall be assessed a civil penalty of not more than $5, Each unauthorized disclosure shall constitute a separate civil violation. The office of the attorney general shall have authority to enforce this section. (Added 2009, No. 1, § 8, eff. July 1, 2010.)

Subscription Service for Non-Criminal Justice Agencies 13 Vermont Criminal Information Center Thank you for viewing the preceding power point presentation. We hope it has provided you with an understanding of the criminal conviction subscription service offered by VCIC. If you have any additional questions or concerns regarding the service please contact the VCIC record check section at